Being a successful company is important, but it's vital to reach out to others who can benefit from your contributions in numerous ways. Thuraya Telecommunications Company was recognized recently and won the Satellite Humanitarian of the Year, Satellite Industry Leader Award (SILA) at the second Global SatShow in Turkey.

Samer Halawi, CEO of Thuraya, received the award on behalf of the company during a prestigious awards ceremony at the Haliç Congress Center, Istanbul. The award was presented by Hakan Kurt, CEO of the Global SatShow. The second Global SatShow annual satellite exhibition and conference took place on November 29-30, and was attended by a wide range of satellite industry players from around the world.

The Satellite Humanitarian of the Year accolade honors the company that makes best use of satellite communications to benefit a nation or region in terms of economy, security, education, knowledge, the environment, healthcare, or disaster rescue and recovery.

“The Global SatShow presents the Satellite Humanitarian of the Year award to honor efforts and contributions made in philanthropic areas,” Adrienne Harebottle, Project Manager of the Global SatShow, said. “We are pleased to announce this year’s recipient is Thuraya, for the generosity shown in Zambia, and its rescue and recovery efforts made after the earthquake in Nepal and during the floods in Sri Lanka this year.”

Samer Halawi, Thuraya Telecommunications CEO, said “I am delighted to receive this award on behalf of all my colleagues. This new SILA award has recognized the very reason why we exist as a company: to save and improve lives. That is a humbling responsibility, and one that shapes us as a team and as a company. While attention has focused upon product launches and our next generation plans lately, it is gratifying to be recognized for the power for good that comes from applied satellite technology.”

“Satellite connectivity helps the world,” Harebottle added. “Consider telemedicine and education applications: while these make life easier for some people, they actually make life possible for many. Also consider natural disasters: while ground infrastructure is usually destroyed and communications disabled, satellite plays a crucial role in disaster recovery and emergency response. Indeed, satellite communications make the world a better place.”

The winners of SILA 2016 were chosen by an independent panel of judges comprising analysts, researchers and journalists.

Halawi confirmed the importance of the award. “At Thuraya, we want to make as positive a difference to the world as possible,” he said. “This SILA award raises awareness of the vital contribution satellite communications can make, wherever our help is needed most.”